The Rommel Papers (Da Capo Paperback) [Paperback]

Erwin Rommel (Author), Basil Henry Liddell Hart (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Da Capo Paperback | Publication Date: March 22, 1982

When Erwin Rommel died—by forced suicide at Hitler’s command—he left behind in various ingenious hiding places the papers that recorded the story of his dramatic career and the exact details of his masterly campaigns. It was his custom to dictate each evening a running narrative of the day’s events and, after each battle, to summarize its course and the lessons to be learned from it. He wrote, almost daily, intimate and outspoken letters to his wife in which his private feelings and—after the tide had turned—forebodings found expression. To this is added by Rommel’s son Manfred the story of the field marshall’s last weeks and the final day when he was given the choice of an honorable suicide or an ignominious trial for treason. An engrossing human document and a rare look at the mind of the ”Desert Fox,” The Rommel Papers throws an interesting light on the Axis alliance and on the inner workings of Hitler’s high command.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Captain Basil Henry Liddell Hart (1895–1970) was one of the foremost military theorists of our time. His many books include Scipio Africanus, Lawrence of Arabia, The Rommel Papers, and Sherman (all available from Da Capo Press/ Perseus Books Group).

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (March 22, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306801574
• ISBN-13: 978-0306801570
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastik!, March 8, 2003

By 

Ron Law (Chino, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rommel Papers (Da Capo Paperback) (Paperback)

If you want to read about Nazi's than this is not the book for you, but if you want to read about a true german soldier and honorable man, than I highly recommend this. What an incredible account of war! War without hate, that was the phrase in one of the commentary lines. It's hard to imagine, but Rommel's book shows how it was his job as a soldier. It also gives accounts of how prisoners of war were treated by Rommel and gives you a real sense of the honor of being a soldier no matter which side you were on.

I especially liked the added notes and commentary by Gen. Bayerlein and Rommel's son Manfred. I predict as you read this book you will feel the development of a relationship with Rommel, a friendship and consern for his well being. Feel his heartfelt consern for his troops and desire to save them from destruction. Feel the anger towards the "High Command" as they tell Rommel to fight to the death. It's a book that will take you on a rollercoaster of emotion that closes in the inevitable and tragic end of your new found friend. The book was finished by Manfred Rommel who gave a truly tragic and heart breaking view of the final moments between him and his father.

53 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Fox writes with humility and grace - Gentlemen soldier, December 30, 2001

By 

Mannie Liscum (Columbia, MO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Rommel Papers (Da Capo Paperback) (Paperback)

Even those with little knowledge of the Second World War know the names "Dessert Fox" and Rommel. For those more familiar with WWII history and the great generals, they know a lot of what is general knowledge is hype more than fact. For example, while Field Marshall Erwin Rommel was certainly a brilliant tactician and strategist, he was not - contrary to popular belief - the originator of the Blitz style of armored warfare. Certainly he was one of its most successful practitioners, but not the originator. That credit belongs to English military minds and was put into practice by General Heinz Gurderian (see Panzer Leader by Gurderian). Rommel was a brilliant self-promoter - with humility though. And he was a favored son of Hitler in the beginning, although the "father" forced him to commit suicide in the end. Rommel did have some amazing victories and equally appalling defeats. All are chronicled in this stirring, well-written pseudo-autobiography. The Rommel Papers was written from Rommels own personal diaries made during his numerous campaigns. He was a voracious writer who sat down on a near daily to preserve the events of the day. Thus we are treated to a wonderful story of the Blitz through western Europe in 1939-40, the swift victories in northern Africa and slow arduous defeats that followed, and finally to Rommel's attempts to stem the Allied tide that was threatening to rush the Western shores of France in 1944. This is a fun and insightful read for anyone who wants to see war from the perspective of the German public's most favored Marshall. Certainly worth the time spent reading it! Highly recommended.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Facinating", August 1, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rommel Papers (Da Capo Paperback) (Paperback)

This interseting text provides a facinating insight into the mind of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel through out his campaigns in the Second World War. This detaled display of real manuscripts written by the great soldier shows his ambitious, zealous, and sometimes dashing style in which he upset Allied commanders time and time again with minimal forces and limited supplys. For any person who is intrigued by the art of war or has a deep interest in history, this book will captivate until the last page has been turned.